DISCLAIMER - Not mine, I couldn't afford the motor and household insurance
bills. I promise I'll scrub them down and give them back to DC comics, the
WB and anyone else who does own a slice of them when I'm done with them.
Story, such as it is, copyright Karen Colohan, June 2002.

Author's notes - 1) The title is from Shakespeare's The Tempest, Act
II Scene II 2) Spoilers for Tempest 3) Just to reiterate, this
story contains scenes of incest and rape

ALAS, THE STORM IS COME AGAIN

by Karen Colohan

The sound of the library doors being swept open was loud in Lex's self-imposed
isolation. He'd sent his staff home earlier. Most of them were related in
some way to someone who had been put out of a job by the plant's closure
and they were no more comfortable being around Lex than he was having them
in the house. Their reproachful looks were just another reminder of his failures
- he already had enough of those.

Lex didn't need to look up as the doors were shut again with a theatrically
loud bang. He knew who it was before a single word was spoken. Though two
visits in the space of just a few hours really was unprecedented. But quite
apart from the deliberately grand entrance, this was an intrusion he'd been
half expecting. The earlier meeting really hadn't resolved anything. All
it had done was underline for Lex just how low his father was prepared to
stoop just to score points in the ongoing battle being waged between them.
And, in turn, that had only made him more determined to succeed.

From the outset, when he'd called his most senior managers from the plant
together to discuss what happened next, Lex had known his father wouldn't
let such a direct challenge to his authority go unanswered. And the plans
for the buyout were nothing if not a very conspicuous gauntlet being thrown
down.

A faint smile curved Lex's lips as he wondered if his father had considered
for even a second the possibility that he would simply refuse to do as he
was told. And more, that he would actually strike out on his own, disdaining
everything the Luthor name had to offer, in a last ditch bid to be his own
man. Surely there was precedent for his actions, even if his previous attempts
at rebellion had been far more petty in nature, and yet his father had seemed
at least a little surprised. Though his response had been swift and
uncompromising. Maybe it was just Lex's commitment that had been in doubt,
but not any more.

He still hadn't deigned to look up from his computer screen, but that was
part of the game, merely the opening gambit. Force your opponent's hand,
make him reveal his strategy. Even with his eyes focused elsewhere, Lex could
hear the sounds of his father moving around the library. His long wool coat
swished against the furniture as he moved and then there was the faint chink
of glass on crystal as he helped himself to a drink. But Lex could wait.
He was in no particular hurry to talk to his father again, after all.

Lex's mouth twisted wryly when the pacing footsteps at last came to a halt
on the other side of his desk. He calmly reached out and closed down the
computer program he'd been working on as he continued to wait.

The heavy sigh of exasperation that broke the silence finally made him flick
his gaze upward. His father seemed to loom over the desk, tall and imposing
with his flowing hair and the long, dark coat that swirled around his body
like furled wings as he moved. Lex wasn't in the mood to be intimidated,
though. He pushed his chair back from the desk, lounging with every appearance
of calm collectedness. Never show weakness or fear - that was a lesson Lex
had learned a very long time ago. He met his father's gaze with cool detachment,
one pale brow rising in question.

"Lex, why are you persisting with this wilful behaviour?"

The rich voice held a faint note of amused tolerance. Just like a loving
parent cajoling a wayward and disobedient child, but Lex wasn't fooled. He
could hear the steel underneath the warmth, knew the indulgence couldn't
be trusted... any more than the shark's smile curving his father's lips could
be.

"It really isn't impressing anyone, you know." And this time the note of
warning was less implicit, more obvious. It was reflected in the tightening
of the skin around Lionel Luthor's eyes as he shot a glare at his son.

"But it does seem to be worrying you." Lex maintained his lazy calm, all
the while watching his father's face minutely for more clues as to how this
meeting might go. He'd thought they had said everything that needed to be
said earlier. What new bombshells had his father come to drop? The one about
the Smallville Savings and Loan was still worrying at Lex's mind as it was.

Low laughter, cold and harsh, brought Lex's attention back to the present.

"We've already established that you have my full attention, Lex. So tell
me, what is it that you really want?"

Lex's expression tightened. The casual air fell away from him as he gathered
himself, sitting forward with his arms resting on the desk. His voice was
just as tightly controlled. "Nothing that you can give me, Dad."

Like love, or even respect, but Lex didn't say things like that aloud...
not any longer. Now there was far more than just his own personal feelings
at stake.

Lionel leaned down, setting aside his drink as he braced himself with his
hands flat on the desk. He met Lex stare for stare, his eyes dark and dangerous.

"I offered you a place in Metropolis, at my side. It's what you've been groomed
for, what you always said that you wanted. And yet you turned me down..."

"How very observant of you, Dad." The faintest trace of an insolent smile
tugged at Lex's mouth. It pulled the smooth skin taut for just a second,
making the scar that marred the line of his upper lip stand out.

The aura of danger surrounding Lionel became more palpable as he leaned in
closer still, bare inches separating his face from Lex's. The anger in his
voice was apparent, but still tightly leashed. "Don't get smart with me,
Lex!"

Lex blinked lazily, refusing to let his father's looming presence intimidate
him. All the same, the incursion on his personal space was unsettling. Coolly
he leaned back in his chair, putting the comfort of distance between them
once again.

He clasped his hands lightly together in his lap before replying, "I turned
you down because I'm not ready to come to heel. I admit when you exiled me
here I was angry, all I wanted was a chance to return to Metropolis, but
things change... people change. Smallville is my home now. I'm doing well
here, the plant - negative propaganda aside - is doing well and I'm willing
to put my money where my mouth is to prove that. I'm just not ready to leave,
Dad. There's a lot more I can do in Smallville, more I will do."

"Even with all your resources drained and your employees mortgaged to the
hilt? With a bank I now own, may I remind you." Lionel straightened, picking
up his glass and draining it before slamming it back down on Lex's desk for
emphasis. "You're in no position to play saviour, Lex!"

"Is that what you think this is about?" Lex shook his head. "It's not. I'm
not trying to change anyone's opinion of me. Keeping the plant open makes
sound business sense..."

"And would cast you in the role of saviour of Smallville, with myself as
devil's advocate, of course." Lionel gave his son a measuring stare. "Are
you honestly telling me that never entered into your thoughts? Instead of
being reviled your efforts would be lauded, everyone would want to be your
friend... until the bank begins to foreclose on their mortgages and your
fervent supporters start to find themselves out on the street." Lionel's
expression hardened and his voice was pure ice. "Who do you think they would
blame for that, Lex?"

Lex visibly collected himself before replying. He itched to let fly, but
he knew his father was hoping to goad him into anger - just another demonstration
of his over-emotional nature. He wouldn't give the smug bastard the satisfaction.

"Your threats don't scare me, Dad. You remember why you exiled me to Smallville?
As a test, you said. You wanted me to grow up, to learn to take responsibility
for my actions." Lex tilted his head, giving a cool smile. "Well,
congratulations, your plan succeeded. I'm not your screw up son any more.
I'm a competent businessman who's turned around a loss-making plant and I'm
not prepared to watch you destroy all that hard work on a whim. I'm willing
to stand by my record and lead this buyout. I'm perfectly confident of what
we can achieve..."

Harsh laughter interrupted him.

"Such passion, Lex, such fire... such over-emotional foolishness! It's what
I've come to expect from you, son, and it's all for nothing."

"How can you say that?" Lex refused to back down.

"You won't succeed." Lionel was equally adamant. "I won't let you."

Lex held his gaze. "Unless it's on your terms."

"Exactly." Lionel smiled at him expansively. "Give up this nonsense now and
come back to Metropolis with me tomorrow. We'll speak no more about this
bout of juvenile rebellion."

Before Lionel had even finished speaking Lex was shaking his head. "Not going
to happen, Dad."

"You're so sure of that, aren't you?" The note of menace was unmistakable
and before Lex had the chance to reply or react Lionel strode around the
desk, coat flying behind him.

His hand snaked out, fast and deadly, and he grabbed Lex by the shoulder,
his grip like iron. The momentum dragged Lex half out of his chair and he
struggled to keep his feet under him. Another sharp tug hauled him the rest
of the way up and Lex was standing, face to face with his father. As the
confrontation turned abruptly physical the level of tension in the room rocketed
at once, crackling between them like a static charge.

Lionel shifted his grip, twisting Lex's arm until he grimaced with pain.
"Accept it, you're too soft to succeed, Lex. This isn't a game you can win.
You simply don't have the guts or the strength to take me on... certainly
not now, maybe never."

Breathing against the pain lancing through his shoulder, Lex glared at his
father. "You must be more worried than I thought if you have to resort to
these kind of bullying tactics. Are you afraid that I really do have enough
influence with the board to get them to agree to my plan?" His tone bordered
on the insolent.

"Do not push me too far, Lex, you may not care for the results." Lionel dug
his fingers in harder, wringing a sharp gasp from his son.

"You don't scare me..."

Which wasn't entirely true. Lex knew exactly what his father was capable
of in a mood like this. He'd been on the receiving end of too many demonstrations
of alpha superiority over the years to remain completely unafraid. But he
wasn't a frightened child any more, cringing from an over-zealous punishment.
He couldn't back down from this or he would be throwing away his one real
chance to break free and show his father that he was capable of succeeding
on his own merits.

Keeping his breathing as steady as he could manage, Lex tried to ease the
pressure on his shoulder while he waited for Lionel's next move. The harsh
grip only served to remind Lex why he tended to shy away from casual, uninvited
touches and why someone walking up behind him unexpectedly could still make
him flinch. He could recall too many times when such an innocuous approach
would turn to bruising roughness. It might have been for some minor infraction
of his father's rules or simply in the name of toughening him up, either
way it had generally ended with Lex cowering in his room in tears.

And the feel of a heavy hand landing unexpectedly on his shoulder, accompanied
by the looming presence of his father close behind him had led often enough
to things much worse than that. The memory caused a shudder of revulsion
to run through him and Lex knew by the faintly smug smile on Lionel's face
that he had guessed where his son's thoughts had taken him. It was a weakness
Lex would have preferred not to reveal, but there was nothing to be done
about it now.

"Lex, be reasonable." The hand loosened, smoothing Lex's rumpled shirt carefully
over his bruised shoulder as it dropped away. "You're my son, not my enemy...
All I'm asking for is a little loyalty."

The false sincerity in Lionel's voice made Lex feel vaguely nauseous.

"You wouldn't know the meaning of the word." Lex eyed his father coldly as
he eased the overstressed muscles in his shoulder.

"You've always been too stubborn for your own good." The edge of anger was
back again. "Perhaps I'm not making myself clear, Lex. There will be no buyout.
This plant is closed and you will come back to Metropolis with me. It's not
negotiable."

"Everything is negotiable." Lex's voice was like ice. "What will it take
to convince you that I mean to go through with my plans?" Lex allowed a hint
of sarcasm to creep into his tone. "Do you want to fence for it again? I
think I ought to warn you that I've been practising."

"I must admit I do admire this display of spirit." Lionel's grin showed his
teeth, sharp and white, dangerous. "Really, it's a shame it's so misplaced
and that I shall have to break you of it. But I will not allow you
to continually defy me, Lex!"

Lionel's hand returned to its resting place on Lex's shoulder, deceptively
gentle. From there it slid slowly upward to his throat, curving lightly around
the pale column of flesh. All at once, the fingers dug in sharply, red marks
quickly rising where they gripped the white skin. It was a warning, the pressure
making breathing awkward, but not pushing harder than that... yet.

Despite the sudden fear that hit him like cold water in the face, Lex tried
to remain utterly still. This was just another test, albeit a far more deadly
one than his exile to Smallville had been. He knew if he struggled the hand
would only close tighter around his throat, deliberately stopping him from
breathing. If he stayed calm, if he trusted, his father would tire of the
game and let him go... at least, Lex hoped to God he would. Or had he really
pushed Lionel too far this time?

The tableau held for far longer than Lex cared to think about, neither of
them giving ground. He could feel the sweat rising on his skin and trickling
slowly down under the collar of his shirt. It was just one more uncomfortable
sensation among many.

Eventually, though, the fingers eased their unforgiving grip and Lex drew
in several deep breaths, feeling his head clear a little as he did so. He
resolutely did not raise his own hand to touch the weals he knew had formed
on his throat, that would soon leave bruises in their wake. But other fingers
had no such reservations. They stroked over the marks, the touch both intimate
and disturbing. It made Lex's skin crawl.

"You're stronger than you used to be." There was grudging respect in Lionel's
voice. "You always struggled before."

"I'm not a child any more." It hurt a little to talk and on top of that there
was still the blatant caress of his father's hand against the side of his
neck. Lex tried to tune it out, to ignore the way it made him feel. To pull
away would only invite further retaliation. Lex was intimately familiar with
the patterns of this dance.

"Then why are you behaving like one?" Lionel chided with a long- suffering
sigh. "You know I don't want to punish you, Lex. Neither of us likes that,
do we?" A gentle pinch to his cheek rebuked Lex for his failures.

"I'm only doing what you taught me to do, being the person you trained me
to be," Lex insisted as reasonably as he could manage with his stomach tying
itself in knots.

The soft touches were unnerving him more than Lex cared to admit, to himself
or his father. They brought back memories he'd buried a long time ago and
reminded him of a place he had no desire to revisit. A secret place, built
of dark nights, warm hands, rough whispers and rougher touches and bright,
blazing sensations that were just too wrong to speak of anywhere but in that
breathless space...

Lex faltered, found that he didn't dare meet his father's eyes now, afraid
of what he might see there. He forced his mind back to what he had been saying,
the thought he'd been trying to complete.

"Why would you punish me for that?" And Lex hated himself for the faint thread
of desperation he couldn't quite keep out of his voice.

"I'm your father, Lex. I know what's best for you, just as I always have."
Lionel leaned in closer, his breath hot on Lex's cheek. He smiled indulgently
when Lex cringed from the blatant invasion of his personal space. "Surely
you understand that."

"Dad, please..." Lex could no longer keep the rising panic from showing on
his face, no matter how hard he tried.

"I own your ass, and the sooner you accept that the better it will
be for everyone." The dark, silky voice was laced with steel.

Well aware of the effect it was having on Lex, Lionel's errant hand became
bolder. It dipped into the open neck of Lex's shirt, the fingers just brushing
a nipple, before it returned to his throat. Then it slid along the softly
defined line of Lex's jaw, until finally Lionel cupped the palm around the
smooth curve of his son's cheek.

"Dad, stop this now." Lex tried to inject as much authority into his tone
as possible, but knew that the fear he was barely suppressing made it sound
more like pleading.

"When it comes down to it, you will do what I want." Lionel didn't seem to
be listening anyway. "Just the same as you always have. Anything, Lex..."

"No!" Resentful anger sparked in Lex.

Why the hell was he just standing here passively and taking this crap? He'd
said he wasn't a child any more, now he needed to prove it, to himself and
to Lionel. He didn't have to be afraid of telling tales on his father that
would never be believed. There was no reason at all why he couldn't fight
back instead of simply letting his father feel him up, or whatever else he
had in mind.

"I'm not some kid you can intimidate into keeping his mouth shut. Not now,
Dad, not any more." Lex pulled back, pale eyes blazing as he confronted the
smug expression on his father's face. With a grimace of distaste Lex dropped
back into his chair, grateful for the breathing space it gave him.

"You expect me to believe that you'd rush off to our esteemed police department
and accuse me of... well, what exactly? Can't a father show affection towards
his son when he wants to?" Lionel looked perfectly confident of the answer.

"Are you willing to stake your reputation on the assumption that I wouldn't?"
Lex shot back, still defiant.

Lionel laughed, apparently pleased, or at least amused, by Lex's outburst.
"You know, son, if you're going to threaten me you really ought to be more
sure of your ground first. Many a conflict down through the centuries has
been lost due to the poor choice of the field of battle."

"I'm not looking for yet another lecture on history, Dad." Lex hissed.

"No?" Lionel's tone managed to convey surprise, overlaid with that same smug
confidence. "Not even modern history, specifically as it applies to one Alexander
Luthor? Hm? I understand the Metropolis police department has been having
something of a spring clean of its filing system just recently. You know
how it is when new staff move in... I was so sorry to hear about Sam Phelan,
by the way, weren't you? Anyway, it wouldn't surprise me if any number of
old, mislaid files were to turn up again as a result..."

"Not very subtle, Dad." Lex's eyes narrowed at the implicit threat.

"But effective, I think," replied Lionel with an offhanded shrug.

"Christ, you'd have everything that Phelan buried dragged up again just to
shut me up? Fuck, Dad, you really are an unconscionable bastard!" Lex snorted
in disbelief.

"Oh, how kind of you to say so, Lex." Lionel smiled his predator's smile
again. "Come here, I think you deserve something in return for that."

Reaching out, Lionel grabbed the back of Lex's chair, swinging it round to
face him head on. Then, without warning, he backhanded Lex across the cheek.

Catching him off guard, the force of the blow jolted Lex's head back painfully,
wrenching his neck and slamming him into the seat. He barely had time to
gasp a protest before a second stinging slap caught him across the mouth.
It split the tender skin, a bright trickle of blood running down Lex's chin
from his lip.

He dabbed at the blood on his lip with a wince, tasting its coppery tang
in his mouth. The murderous look in his father's eyes scared the hell out
of Lex, but he did his best not to show it. He had to stay in control. Maybe
he could still talk his way out of this. Or perhaps the violent demonstration
of his strength would appease Lionel's temper.

"If you continue to be such a disappointment to me, Lex, it's not too late
for me to get myself another." Lionel perched casually on the edge of the
desk and regarded his son almost pityingly.

"Really?" Lex replied, his tone caustic. "What bitch did you have in mind
to breed it for you? Victoria? No, maybe not, she might be desperate enough,
but you'd never be certain it was actually yours, would you."

Lionel favoured his son with a withering look. "You know, she told me that
you fucked like a girl. Somehow that doesn't surprise me. Though I thought
maybe all those whores you went through would have taught you a few things.
Or did the meteors rob you of more than just your hair, Lex? I hear you never
managed to grow any of that anywhere..."

The taunting words stung. Lex knew they were meant to wound and that he shouldn't
sink to his father's level, but he couldn't stop himself from spitting out,
"Fuck you, Dad!"

Cruel laughter greeted his outburst. "Oh, I don't think so, son. I'm really
not sure that you're up to the task." Lionel leaned forward, right in Lex's
face again. "Besides, I don't think I'm your type. I know what you prefer...
How is that dear, sweet, underage farm boy of yours keeping? He shows
such a lovely concern for your well-being, doesn't he. I'm not surprised
you were tempted. Why, if I were just a few years younger..." Lionel let
the implication trail off into silence along with his words.

The sudden reference to Clark, and in the terms his father had used, caught
Lex seriously off balance. He couldn't hide the sudden flash of fear he felt,
all the colour draining from his face. Surely they'd been too careful, had
hidden the change in their relationship. Even Clark's parents hadn't guessed.
Then again, Jonathan and Martha Kent didn't have the resources at their disposal
that his father did, nor did they have the same desire to control every last
little piece of their son's life.

"Dad..." This time Lex was pleading, though for what he wasn't entirely sure.

"How do you suppose your erstwhile employees... your proposed fellow participants
in this ludicrous buyout scheme, that is, would react if they knew?" Lionel
was implacable. "I'm sure many of them have sons and daughters who go to
school with the delightful Clark Kent. How do you think they would feel about
throwing in their lot with a man who fucks underage boys?"

"It isn't like that!" Lex felt every bit as desperate as he knew he sounded.
He had always wanted to keep his father's attention away from Clark at all
costs. Foolishly he'd thought he'd succeeded.

"Oh, I'm sure it's exactly like that, Lex." Lionel smiled, the lascivious
expression making Lex feel dirty. "I know you too well, son. But even if
your friendship with him were entirely beyond reproach, just a few words
in the right ears... It would do nothing to enhance your reputation in this
charming backwater."

"You wouldn't do that..." Lex swallowed hard, trying to rein in the panic
he could feel threatening to spiral out of control. "It's not just my reputation
you'd be destroying."

"Wouldn't I?" Lionel pursed his lips, watching Lex squirm. "And if you were
that worried about young Mr Kent's reputation maybe you should have refrained
from fucking him. You always were too easily distracted by a pretty... face."

"Dad, your argument is with me, leave Clark out of this." Lex knew
he was probably revealing more than he should by his insistence, but he couldn't
take the risk of Clark being caught in the crossfire as he and his father
sniped at one another.

Lionel gestured expansively. "If you'd just accept the inevitable, Lex...
You know you can't defeat me so your continued defiance serves no purpose.
Be reasonable and we can put all this unpleasantness behind us. What do you
say?"

The false bonhomie made Lex feel sick and his instincts told him he couldn't
trust his father to keep his word. If it suited him, Lionel would destroy
Clark and his family without a second thought. Before he could think better
of it, Lex kicked out, propelling himself backwards in the chair. He needed
to warn Clark that Lionel knew about them, to start making contingency plans
to protect him and, frankly, Lex just wanted to be as far away from his father
as he could get.

"Go fuck yourself!" he spat out in disgust.

As soon as he saw the mask of fury that settled on his father's face, Lex
knew the ill-considered words had been a mistake. Gracelessly, he tried to
scramble out of his seat, but Lionel moved faster, intercepting him.

Enraged, Lionel grabbed Lex, hauling him bodily out of the chair. Viciously
he jammed one of his arms up behind his back, twisting it to the point of
dislocation as Lex tried to resist. When Lex finally stilled, Lionel eased
up a little, letting go with one hand. Instead he reached out and caught
hold of Lex's face in a rough grip, forcing his son to look him in the eye.

"Why do you always do this, Lex?" he demanded harshly. "You know you leave
me no choice."

Lex managed a shaky laugh. "There's always a choice, Dad," he panted. Then
he cried out as the pressure on his shoulder increased again. He felt certain
it was being pulled out of its socket as the pain burned through him like
fire. He closed his eyes against it, welcoming the blackness behind his lids.
"I won't play your sick games any more!" he forced out between clenched teeth.

"You'll do whatever I tell you, Lex."

The words were hissed directly into his face. The tone was all cold fury,
a stark contrast to the hot breath that fanned over his skin. Lex tried to
flinch away from it, but his father's hold on him was much too tight.

Then the wash of heat was gone as Lionel swung Lex around, using the momentum
to shove him against the desk. Lex stumbled as he found he'd been released
and he tried to steady himself. Off balance, he failed, clutching protectively
at his injured arm as he fell forward. Then his father's hand was pressing
heavily against his back, forcing him face down across the top of the desk,
heedless of the papers that went flying. Lex gave a sharp cry of pain as
the air was knocked out of his lungs and then he froze.

Lionel casually kicked his legs apart and Lex clenched his fists ineffectually
as memory supplied the knowledge of what would come next. He felt the heat
of his father's body as Lionel stepped in closer, leaning down so that his
weight pressed Lex against the cold surface of the desk. The long coat Lionel
wore seemed to envelope Lex claustrophobically as he lay as still as possible
and tried to control his laboured breathing.

His father stretched over him a little more, his lips moving directly against
Lex's ear as he spoke, his voice low and compelling. "Sometimes I think you
provoke me deliberately, Lex, that you want this. Do you?"

Lionel's hair brushed over the naked skin of Lex's scalp, making him feel
doubly vulnerable.

A short, bitter laugh escaped Lex. "Believe me, Dad, when I lay awake at
night as a kid and wished that you would love me, this really wasn't what
I had in mind. I may have been fucked up, but I never wanted this."

Lex felt as much as heard his father's amused chuckle. He could feel it vibrate
through the heavy, muscular body that still crushed him against his desk.
He was also only too aware of the unmistakable hardness pressing into his
ass as Lionel shifted slightly. Lex closed his eyes, resting his bruised
cheek on the coolness of the desk and wishing to any God who might be out
there listening that Clark was here, now, to save him from this as he'd saved
him from so many other impossible situations.

It wasn't going to happen, though, Lex knew. Since their relationship had
progressed from platonic to physical Clark had been scrupulous about keeping
to his curfew. He'd been determined that he would do nothing to cause his
parents to forbid him to see Lex. Though if the Kents knew exactly what he
and Clark usually did when they were together...

Sudden movement snapped Lex out of his pleasant recollections and back to
the far less savoury circumstances of his current reality. Lex began to struggle
when he realised his father was trying to turn him onto his back. Hard pressure
on his damaged shoulder doubled him up, bile burning in his throat. He stopped
fighting when the pain greyed the edges of his vision and let his father
have his way. Almost at once Lionel began to tear roughly at the buttons
of Lex's shirt, baring his chest to his touch.

The new position had left them aligned groin to groin and Lex felt a sudden
twist of nausea in his gut as his own cock instinctively began to react to
the heated pressure of Lionel's erection. Christ, he was so fucking easy...
This was his father trying to strip him, rubbing against him as if
this was something normal. Was he really that fucking undiscriminating?

Unwilling to accept the obvious answer, Lex fought back again, gritting his
teeth and ignoring the pain of his shoulder. Lionel responded to his struggles
by simply hitting him hard across the face once more. The blow reopened the
cut on his mouth from earlier and left Lex seeing stars. He slumped back,
the room spinning around him dizzily. As the fight went out of him, Lionel
wasted no time in tearing off Lex's shirt.

There was no response to his breathless plea. Lionel seemed wholly absorbed
by the neat red lines his nails had painted on the pale canvas under his
hands. His touch slid lower, nails still digging in to the vulnerable skin
as he tracked across the well-defined muscles of Lex's stomach. When he reached
the barrier of Lex's waistband, Lionel reversed course, adding to the tracery
of marks on his son's naked chest. Almost casually he scraped over Lex's
nipples with his thumbnails, watching as the darker circles of flesh pebbled
and drew up into taut peaks.

As his father's touches became more invasive and more intimate, Lex tried
to arch away from his hands. Lionel was too close, though, and there was
nowhere for Lex to escape to. He only succeeded in thrusting his hips up
against Lionel's as he struggled and he really didn't need the reminder of
the sick pleasure his father was getting out of this. Nor did he want to
feel the jolt of reaction in his own belly at the renewed contact with Lionel's
cock.

It sickened Lex enough to make him keep fighting. Frantically he kicked out,
attempting to scramble backwards across the desk. As he wriggled free, Lionel
grabbed hold of his hips in a bruising grip, hauling him back.

"Lex, give it up, you're just not strong enough to defeat me." Lionel grinned,
the expression chilling. "Not in business, and certainly not when it comes
to sex."

One hand released Lex's hip, sliding around to cup his now quite obvious
erection through the creased fabric of his slacks. Lex gritted his teeth
as his father stroked him roughly, willing the instinctive reaction to subside.
"Get your hands off me!" he demanded, his voice hoarse.

"Oh, I don't think so." Lionel sounded insufferably smug. "You're such an
eager little whore, Lex. You always were, and it seems you've only gotten
to be more so. See, at least there's one part of you that knows who it belongs
to. Isn't that right?"

The grip on his cock tightened, edging towards pain. Lex turned his head
away, unable to bear looking at the triumphant expression on his father's
face any longer. "Go to hell!" he hissed with all the venom he could muster.

Lionel laughed. "Not very original, I expected better from you... but then
I always did." His tone hardened, "And I was disappointed every time."

At the harsh words Lex felt something inside himself break. It always came
back to this where his father was concerned - nothing he ever did was good
enough, never had been and never would be. He was just a disappointment who
could never make his father proud of him, no matter how hard he tried. After
all, if he'd been worthy of his respect Lionel wouldn't need to remind him
what a screw up he really was. He deserved this, just the way he had when
he was a kid. He must do, or it wouldn't be happening again...

When the groping fingers moved to unfasten his pants Lex didn't try to prevent
it. What was the point? His father was right, he was too weak to put a stop
to this, just as he'd always been. A small part of Lex's brain screamed at
him that he wasn't the same helpless child now, that he was strong enough
to fight, but he refused to listen to it. Fighting back only ever meant more
pain.

Instead Lex withdrew further into himself, refusing to acknowledge what his
father was doing to his body. He could still feel it, the rough hands moving
over his skin in a twisted parody of love, but he didn't have to let it touch
him inside. If he did, that would make it real... and Lex wasn't sure he
could deal with it if it was.

###

Lionel felt the last of the resistance drain out of Lex and he snorted in
disgust. He had no intention of putting a stop to this, regardless. He had
meant to give Lex a salutary reminder of exactly who was in charge here and
he fully intended to complete the demonstration, even if his son's sudden
passivity was another in a long line of disappointments. And he'd thought
Lex had finally found a bit of spirit.

He shook his head as he regarded the pitiful figure huddled on the desk.
Lillian had a lot to answer for, Lionel decided. She'd made the boy soft
and he'd never entirely recovered from her influence. And Lex had clearly
taken after his mother in looks too. Despite being tall he wasn't much of
a man, not enough muscle on that slender frame. Then there was the girlishly
smooth skin and his features - which were decidedly on the pretty side even
with the bruises his face currently sported - the line of his jaw too soft,
to say nothing of his mouth.

Lionel snorted derisively. Whatever his son's other physical shortcomings,
he could vouch for the tightness of Lex's ass. That was something that never
seemed to change over the years. Apparently he didn't care to let many people
fuck him. Lionel wondered whether he'd let his underage farm boy have the
pleasure. The thought brought a lascivious smile to Lionel's face. Either
way, he'd enjoy reminding Lex who really owned that tight ass of his.

Now that Lex had stopped struggling it wasn't difficult to strip the rest
of his clothes from him. Once he had Lex naked, Lionel took a moment to catalogue
the changes in his son's body since the last time he'd taught him a lesson
in this fashion.

Lex had been in his teens then, at the height of his rebellious phase. He'd
fought back defiantly on that occasion, despite being strung out on God knows
what illegal substances. But he'd had no more than a boy's strength to fight
with and it hadn't taken very long to subdue him to Lionel's will. Though
even when he'd been mastered he'd kept on cursing and striking out at his
father, unlike this time.

Closer inspection revealed that Lionel had underestimated his son at least
a little. Under the sleek, expensive clothing his body had built muscle,
though Lex was always going to be slim... definitely his mother's son. But
apparently the workout equipment set up in one of the mansion's many rooms
wasn't just for display. Lex had most certainly been training on it.

He was, however, still completely lacking in body hair, just as Lionel
remembered. And Victoria had made plenty of cruel taunts about his son's
deficiencies too while Lionel fucked her. Whatever changes the meteors had
wrought on Lex that day twelve years ago, it seemed they were both permanent
and deep-rooted.

As Lionel let both his gaze and his hands roam slowly over the passive form
pinned underneath him, an amused smile twisted his lips. It was readily apparent
that Lex's cock still responded as easily to his touch as it always had.
No wonder Lex was keeping his eyes stubbornly closed - he evidently didn't
want to share his shame.

Lionel reached down and touched himself through his pants, feeling the
pleasurable ache in his cock. Carefully he unfastened his fly, pushing his
clothing aside just enough for his purposes. It suited him to strip Lex's
dignity away along with his clothes and remaining fully dressed himself only
helped to underline his superiority. Lionel continued stroking his cock to
full hardness with one hand, with the other he reached out and slapped Lex
lightly on the cheek. He saw Lex flinch at the touch, but otherwise remain
determinedly unresponsive.

"Lex, open your eyes and look at me." Lionel kept his voice low, but the
command in it was unmistakable.

Regardless, Lex simply set his mouth in a tight line and turned his head
away to the side.

"Still you defy me?" Lionel sighed. "Have you learned nothing? You're in
no position to refuse me."

###

After a long moment Lex abandoned the dubious shelter of his own thoughts,
considering his father's words. When he finally spoke his voice was tightly
controlled against the emotional responses fighting inside him. Maybe just
ignoring what Lionel was doing wasn't the answer, but he wouldn't give the
bastard the satisfaction of seeing him break.

"It wouldn't matter what I said at this point, would it? You're going to
do this to me, just like you always did," said Lex steadily.

"True," Lionel conceded.

"That doesn't mean I have to think it's right." Unwillingly, Lex turned back
to face his father, his eyes opening slowly. "Don't you care how fucked up
this is?" he asked in a small voice. "Jesus, Dad, I'm your son. Doesn't
that mean anything to you? How can you do this to me."

"I only do it for your own good." Lionel actually sounded as if he believed
that. He might have been in the middle of delivering some motivational pep
talk, rather than preparing to fuck his own flesh and blood.

"This is supposed to be good for me?" Lex gave a hollow laugh. "What, is
it meant to build character? Dad, listen to me. Don't, please..."

"You're telling me you don't want this, Lex?" Lionel regarded the sprawled
form of his son indulgently. "I think your body just made a liar of you."
Lionel slid his hand down to Lex's crotch, curling it around the stiff cock
and squeezing hard.

Lex winced at the rough handling and hated himself for the way his hips
instinctively thrust into the too tight grip.

"So my sexual responses are a little fucked up," he hissed. "I wonder why."
His split lip had swollen and talking was just one more discomfort to deal
with. Carefully he tried to moisten the roughened skin with his tongue before
adding, "Oh yeah, I had a father who liked to fuck his son. What's your excuse?"

Whether he'd meant to provoke Lionel again or not, the response to Lex's
words was swift and unpleasantly brutal. He had, it seemed, finally pushed
too far and Lionel's hold on his temper broke.

Lex curled in on himself, trying to protect the most vulnerable places from
the calculated viciousness of Lionel's attack. Even as angry as he was, his
father knew where to find his weak spots. Raising his hands defensively,
Lex did his best to shield his face from the worst of the blows directed
at it. He was only partly successful and he knew that, even as quickly as
his meteor affected metabolism tended to heal him, he'd be wearing quite
an array of brusies for the next few days. Which would, doubtless, lead to
some interesting speculation amongst the good folk of Smallville.

He hated to think what Clark's reaction would be, if he had to face him...
And that was something Lex couldn't allow himself to worry about, not with
his father still intent on laying into him with undiminshed fury.

Eventually, Lionel seemed to decide that he'd sufficiently exercised his
temper on Lex and the blows ceased. He drew back, and Lex took the opportunity
to cautiously straighten from his defensive huddle.

His father's face was a grim mask, cold, as if he hadn't just spent the better
part of five minutes beating the shit out of his son. Not that he was entirely
unmoved by it. A quick glance down was enough to let Lex know that Lionel
had taken his usual sick pleasure in besting him. His father's fly was still
open, the swollen length of his cock clearly visible, framed by the dark
fabric.

Slowly, Lex started to edge away from him, his hands gripping the desk at
his back for support. For a moment he thought Lionel was going to let it
go at that when he simply stood and watched him move away. He really ought
to have known better.

Again there was no warning before Lionel reached out and grabbed him by the
shoulders. Lex was spun around, swaying giddily for a second, and then Lionel
pulled him tightly back against his body. The long, dark coat fluttered heavily
around him and it felt like a cage as Lex was enclosed within its folds.
As he stilled, one sinewy forearm was laid across Lex's unprotected throat,
holding him in place with its explicit threat.

What could be worse than this? Lex's thoughts were bleak as he allowed himself
to be roughly pushed face down across his desk once more. His lack of resistance
did, at least, mean the withdrawal of the restrictive hold on his throat.

Then his father's hands were grabbing at his ass without finesse, spreading
his cheeks. One thick digit pressed hard against his hole, rough and dry
as it sought entrance.

Lex managed to shift enough to draw his arms back under his head. The position
pulled awkwardly at his wrenched shoulder, but it meant he could pillow his
injured face against them. It saved it from being ground into the surface
of the desk as his father continued prodding ungently at his ass, trying
to get past the tight ring of muscle.

As Lionel eventually managed to force a finger inside him, Lex groaned in
pain. Dry, it burned like hell and Lex wanted nothing more than to let himself
fall apart - to scream or cry out or do anything other than just lie there
and take it. But he didn't. He could feel the vague sting of tears in his
eyes, but he ignored it, hiding the evidence as he pressed his face harder
against the pale, unmarked skin of his arm.

Lex heard Lionel curse as the tightness of his ass resisted the unlubricated
thrust of his father's finger. After a moment it was roughly withdrawn and
Lex moaned again at the careless treatment. Then Lionel was stretching over
him and a second later three broad fingers were jabbing against his wounded
mouth, demanding entry.

Part of Lex rebelled against allowing it, but good sense dictated otherwise.
If his father was bent on fucking him, he'd do it whatever and spit was better
than no lube at all, if not by much. Lex parted his lips and sucked Lionel's
fingers into his mouth, concentrating on getting them as wet as he could.

The roughened skin tasted of sweat and sex, and if it had been Clark holding
him down like this and pushing his strong fingers between his lips, Lex knew
he'd have found the situation unbearably erotic. As it was, knowing it was
Lionel's fingers he was suckling, it made Lex's stomach turn.

A moment later the saliva-slick fingers were jerked out of his mouth. Lex
felt Lionel withdraw a little and then the damp touch was back at his cleft,
probing deeply. He tried to breathe evenly, to relax, anything to make it
more bearable. It was easier when the first finger slipped inside him this
time, the rough penetration burned less. It still didn't help much when the
second and third fingers pushed their way into him, twisting and stretching
Lex perfunctorily.

For all the discomfort, the hand deserted Lex more quickly than he would
have liked, reminding him that things could indeed get worse. The emptiness
lasted even less time. His father's weight was back, the muscular body hot
and hard as it pressed him down.

The material of Lionel's clothes felt rough on Lex's sensitive skin, buttons
and the metal teeth of his zipper providing a chill counterpoint. But the
sensation of his father's thick cock stabbing against his ass was much worse.

Despite his earlier promise to himself to just accept whatever happened to
him and not try to fight it, Lex began to struggle again. He heard Lionel
laugh and knew the fear pouring off his skin in waves was only turning his
father on more. But he couldn't find the same detachment he'd hidden behind
before. This was undeniably real, and if he was going to come out of it with
any kind of self respect he had to keep fighting.

Lionel's hands settled on Lex's shoulders, gripping firmly to hold him down.
Then he shifted his hips until the blunt head of his cock found the stretched
hole and pressed in, hard. When Lex pushed himself up from the desk, trying
to unseat his father's grip on him, all he succeeded in doing was aiding
Lionel's jabbing thrust into him. Lex cried out as his father's cock rammed
into him in a single rough slide.

Everything seemed to go downhill from there as Lionel set a punishing pace,
using Lex without regard for his comfort. His ass burned as his father thrust
into him viciously, reminding him of his inferiority with each sharp press
of his hips. And Lex's treacherous cock seemed to welcome the lesson, reacting
to being trapped between his stomach and the smooth surface of the desk by
getting hard again.

Lex whimpered, wanting to deny the sensations coiling low in his belly. As
he felt the familiar tightening in his balls, Lex's lips shaped the single
word "No", over and over again. Tensed on the edge of orgasm, he bit down
hard on his split lip, seeking a distraction in the blossoming ache. He welcomed
the hot spill of fresh blood, tasting its coppery tang in his mouth as the
renewed pain of the injury assaulted him.

It wasn't enough, though, failing to blot out the other sensations that shivered
through him. Lex's slender frame shuddered as he came, spilling onto the
cool glass underneath him. The wetness spread against his skin as Lionel's
repeated thrusts drove him against the desk's surface. As the spasms shook
him, Lex could feel his ass clenching involuntarily around his father's invading
cock. It made Lionel groan with a pleasure Lex hated himself for giving him.

Pushed over the edge in more ways than one, hot tears of shame and frustration
finally escaped Lex's control. They spilled unseen and unchecked down his
cheeks as he rode out the last aching tremors of his climax.

Lex cursed himself inwardly for his weakness, but when had one of these
confrontations ever ended differently? Whether he fought the inevitable or
simply submitted like the frightened child he had once been, he never managed
to win. By way of this most primal of contests his father had proved time
and again that he was still the alpha male in the Luthor family... and, as
ever, Lex's ass would bear the reminder of this most recent lesson in the
days that followed.

It was, Lex reflected, a lot less painful when his father would simply decide
to fuck one of his lovers and then make sure the evidence reached his eyes.
At least then the bruises were inflicted in places that no one could ever
see. It proved much the same point, though, albeit indirectly - that Lionel
Luthor was capable of fucking with his son whenever he pleased...

While Lex's body was limp with post-coital lethargy, Lionel was still vigorously
enjoying his victory over his son. Lex felt his father thrust hard and deep
into him and then, a moment later, heat burned inside him as Lionel finally
came. The heavy weight of the body on top of him blanketed Lex until he thought
he might suffocate under the dark folds of the coat his father had never
bothered to shed.

Dimly, Lex heard sounds and belatedly realised that his father was speaking
to him. The voice was rough as Lionel spent himself in long, shuddering spurts.
It was the only time Lex ever heard his father's tones lose their habitual
rich smoothness... just another fact dredged up by his memory to remind him
that this was merely the latest in a long line of demonstrations of paternal
love, Luthor style.

"Lex, you're a good boy at heart. My son... Now you understand, don't you?"

Once again Lionel's hand moved over Lex's vulnerable scalp and Lex had to
force down the revulsion the faintly awkward caresses stirred in him. For
a second he wondered how he ever managed to let anyone touch him with any
kind of intimacy when his mind flashed on moments like these with disturbing
ease. At any rate, it wasn't really a surprise to him that most of his early
sexual experiences were lost in an alcohol and drugs induced haze.

The voice was clearer now as Lionel tightened his grip on Lex's head and
turned him so that he spoke directly into his ear. "You're my son, Lex.
My son... mine. You belong to me, to no one else. It's the
way it should be, the way it will be. Accept it, Lex... you know I'm right."

It was, perhaps, the closest approximation of affection that Lionel was capable
of, but it wasn't anything that Lex wanted to hear... because it changed
nothing. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to close his ears to the voice
that was still a shade less than perfectly modulated, just a little breathless
in the aftermath of completion.

The words were no definition of love that Lex could understand, not that
he considered himself any great expert on the subject. But at least he was
learning, Clark was seeing to that. For now, though, if Lionel needed to
believe the rightness of what he'd said, so be it. Lex was prepared to agree
to almost anything if it would get his father out of the mansion and as far
away from him as possible.

A few moments later there was another sharp burn of pain as Lionel pulled
out of Lex. It seemed more than simply a physical separation as Lionel moved
away at once, the cocoon of his coat withdrawn at the same time. It left
Lex feeling even more exposed than before, especially when he heard the sound
of a zipper being closed as his father set his clothes to rights. For some
reason it made Lex feel absurdly resentful, that Lionel wouldn't even permit
the perceived vulnerability of being undressed when he fucked his son.

As much as he wanted his father gone from the house, Lex still regretted
the loss of Lionel's body heat. Naked in the cool air of the library, he
shivered, feeling the sweat dry on his skin. He couldn't seem to summon the
energy to move yet, though. Besides, he had no wish to let Lionel see any
more evidence of his weakness, and Lex was acutely aware of the trails of
moisture on his face.

Feeling exhausted and a little dizzy, Lex clung to his desk like a lifeline.
He hoped his father would just leave so that he could let his knees buckle
the way they wanted to. Then he could simply sink down onto the floor - maybe
crawl away into a dark corner - and try to hide from the unpalatable truth
of what had happened.

When a hand unexpectedly stroked down his hip, Lex flinched away violently.
As he stilled the gesture was repeated, a careful brush that didn't attempt
to be anything more intimate. Nevertheless, Lex had to bite his ravaged lip
again to keep from begging his father not to touch him. But he didn't need
to beg; there was no further repetition.

"So, Lex -" Lionel's voice was cool and distant now. "We'll hear no more
of this buyout nonsense then?"

A strangled laugh escaped Lex and he could hear the edge of hysteria in it.
"You think that's all it takes, Dad? You fuck me and I cave." He shook his
head slightly in denial.

"I know you, Lex..." Lionel insisted.

Lex shook his head more emphatically, glancing back over his shoulder for
a second. His father stood poised near the door, a dark and threatening presence
even with the distance now between them.

"Dad, you don't know me at all," he said, his voice heavy with exhaustion.
"Just go..."

"Lex, you never could say no to me."

The smug certainty of his father's words grated on Lex's shredded nerves.
"I always said no, Dad, you just never listened!"

Where did it end, Lex wondered. God, he was so tired.

Lionel glared at him, taking half a step back across the room, but something
in Lex's expression seemed to stop him.

"This isn't over, Lex," he threatened, one finger pointing accusingly at
him. "You may think you can win this game; let me assure you that you won't.
When it really counts you simply don't have the balls to fight me." With
that, Lionel turned on his heel and strode out, slamming the library doors
closed behind him.

Finally Lex let go of his grip on the desk and let himself slide gracelessly
to the floor, ending up on hands and knees. Moving carefully he turned until
he was lying on his side. He huddled in on himself miserably, knees drawn
up to his chest as he tried to block out the ache of bruises and the lingering
soreness of his ass.

He was less successful blotting out the recurring memory of his father pushing
him down and looming over him, his naked cock the worst threat Lex could
imagine. In the end Lex found it was easier to concentrate on the purely
physical pain. It seemed to put up a barrier between his mind and the endless
parade of images of Lionel.

It was a long time before Lex mustered enough energy to move, pushing himself
painfully back onto his knees. Grabbing onto the edge of the desk he hauled
himself to his feet. Once upright he looked around him as if he were somewhere
unfamiliar, rather than in the heart of the place he'd slowly learned to
call home.

Naked and shivering, Lex stared at his desk in disgust. The smear of come
painted across its usually spotless surface taunted him with his own weakness
and, for a moment, Lex thought he might throw up, just to add to the mess.

As he fought down the wave of nausea Lex wondered bleakly why he should have
been surprised by his body's reaction. After all, he'd taught it to take
pleasure in even the most depraved sexual acts during his wildest years on
the darker side of the Metropolis club scene. And today it had proved just
how thoroughly it had absorbed his lessons. It still felt like a betrayal
and the sight of the damning evidence - his father had made him come, for
fuck's sake - made Lex gag, bile stinging the back of his throat.

Shuddering, Lex closed his eyes. How often had he promised himself that he'd
never let Lionel lay a finger on him again, that he'd rather die than submit
to the indignity of being fucked by his father now that he was an adult,
not a terrified child. Lex gave a strained laugh, heard the bitterness in
it and turned away from the desk before he really was sick all over it.

So much for finally breaking free of Lionel's influence, so much for his
fucking pride... It was just like that saying his mother was fond of using.
The more things change the more they stay the same. Oh yes, thought Lex bitterly,
his father had just admirably proved the truth of that.

Choking down the laughter along with a fresh surge of bile in his throat,
Lex moved slowly around the library. He gathered up the scattered tatters
of his clothing then, shuffling like an old man, he headed up the stairs
to the sanctuary of his bedroom. If he locked the door and pulled the heavy
draperies tightly closed around his bed maybe he'd feel safe enough that
he'd be able to sleep.

A little voice in the back of his head reminded Lex that if he wanted safety
he should call Clark, that Clark always saved him. He dismissed the idea
with scarcely a moment's thought. Clark shouldn't have to see this. He shouldn't
have to know that the second chance he'd given Lex that day on the bridge
had ended up just as much of a failure as the life that had ended in the
drowned wreckage of the Porsche.

Lex allowed himself the luxury of a few scalding tears before he dragged
his hand across his face, carefully composing himself. He winced as the gesture
pulled at his split and swollen lips, reminding him of the visibility of
his injuries. He would have to keep his distance from Clark until the outward
signs of his ordeal had faded. If he healed as quickly as normal it should
only require a few days. He couldn't avoid everyone, though, not with the
plans for the buyout to be finalised. Lex sighed as he realised he'd have
to come up with a plausible explanation for the state of his face.

Not just yet, first Lex wanted a shower badly, as long and as hot as his
skin would stand without burning. Perhaps he would be able to wash the memory
of his father's invasive touch off his stiff and aching body if he just scrubbed
hard enough.